As an important part of China-Canada cooperation, tourism is opening the window to friendship between the two countries, said Premier Li Keqiang in his congratulations letter to the opening of the 2018 China-Canada Year of Tourism held on March 21 in Toronto, Canada.

The Premier wrote in the letter that bilateral tourism has become more convenient in recent years. In 2017, visits between the two countries surpassed 1.5 million - a new record high.

The 2018 tourism year will bring new opportunities to expand bilateral tourism, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, and deepen practical cooperation, he said.

Premier Li also expressed his hope that the two countries will work together to sow the seeds of friendship through tourism.

In recent years, he added, the growing bilateral strategic partnership made practical progress, benefiting the people of both countries.

Premier Li said China is willing to continue to enhance all-level communications with Canada, and expand practical cooperation in fields such as economy and trade, science and technology, and education and culture.

In addition, he also expected strengthened coordination and cooperation with Canada in international affairs, and another golden decade of bilateral relations.